New London City Council hires former judge to investigate Police Chief Ackley's complaint

New London - The City Council Monday hired former Superior Court Judge Beverly Hodgson - who will investigate allegations the police chief has made against the city.

It was a unanimous vote with no discussion.

Hodgson was a Superior Court judge for 15 years. She is a mediator and arbitrator through The American Arbitration Association, according to her online resume.

She is expected to conduct interviews with witnesses in November, according to a memo sent to the council by city Law Director Thomas J. Londregan. In the memo, Londregan said the investigator's report will not be made public, as it falls under attorney-client privilege.

Early this year, New London Police Chief Margaret Ackley reached an agreement with the city manager to retire, and in August, stood up at a City Council meeting and alleged that Councilor Michael Buscetto III was "causing her distress" by meddling in police affairs and that she was unable to her job.

At that meeting, she threatened a lawsuit against the city and submitted a list of her complaints against Buscetto. That list has not been released to the public and The Day has filed a Freedom of Information request for it.

In September, the council asked Londregan to find a private investigator to look into Ackley's allegations.

At Monday night's meeting, Buscetto said he was willing to comply with the investigation and is fully prepared to do so.

Hodgson's investigation was slated to begin last Tuesday, but Londregan said Ackley's attorney, Shelley Graves, had contacted him and asked for dates after Oct. 21.

"When it came time for the witnesses to come forward, they (Ackley and her attorney) said they needed a later date," Buscetto said. "I was there and ready and the accuser wasn't, even though those dates were selected by the accuser."